childly

English

Etymology

From Middle English childly, childlich, childli, from Old English ċildlīċ (“childly, childlish”), equivalent to child +‎ -ly.

Adjective

childly (comparative more childly, superlative most childly)

1. Of or pertaining to a young child; childlike

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Gower to this entry?)

Usage notes

Childly has a positive connotation, as opposed to the sometimes pejorative childish.

---

Middle English

Alternative forms

• childli, childlich, childely, chyldly, childeli, childlyche

Etymology

From Old English ċildlīċ; equivalent to child +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈtʃiːldliː/, /ˈtʃiːldliːtʃ(ə)/

Adjective

childly

1. Pertaining to a child; childly.
2. Childish; not mature.

Descendants

• English: childly

References

• “chīldlī, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2019-07-06.

Adverb

childly

1. childishly

References

• “chīldlī, adv.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2019-07-06.